AI is no longer experimental in heavy construction. It operates quietly in the background at job sites across Saskatchewan, analyzing drone imagery, monitoring equipment health, optimizing schedules and improving safety systems.
The 2025 SHCA Infrastructure Summit and Trade Show in Regina featured many interesting and innovative presentations in its technical sessions during the two-day event. “AI and Site Safety,” presented by Brandon Papas from SITECH Western Canada Solutions Ltd., discussed how AI is transforming the heavy construction industry from reactive problem-solving to predictive decision-making.
The use of AI in construction has expanded greatly over recent years and shows no signs of slowing. On today’s heavy construction sites, machines can now detect a worker in a blind spot faster than a human operator can react. Drones can survey kilometres of corridor in less than an hour. Equipment can alert operators to failing hydraulic parts days before they fail, and machine control is becoming more automated. These are just a few ways AI is already transforming the industry.
In heavy construction, AI refers to software systems that analyze large volumes of data to detect patterns, identify risks and support faster, more informed decisions. These systems power applications such as drone-based progress tracking, automated quantity calculations, predictive equipment maintenance, machine control and AI-enabled safety monitoring.
AI is not a replacement for experienced operators, engineers or project managers. In most current civil construction applications, AI serves as a decision-support tool. It provides insights, identifies anomalies and enhances consistency and efficiency, while human professionals remain responsible for final decisions.
Scheduling, drafting, labour and workflows
“When AI is applied to current civil construction practices, it becomes a tool that can significantly reduce the time required for certain tasks,” said Papas. “Whether it’s used for design support, data workflows or machine control technology, integrating data across the project helps ensure everyone is working from the same information, reducing mistakes, rework and miscommunication.”
Additionally, AI is used in the field through drone technology combined with computer vision and photogrammetry, where drones capture hundreds of overlapping images that AI algorithms process into accurate surface models and measurements. This not only saves a significant amount of time for the builder or engineer, but also offers high-level accuracy for developing a work plan.
“When AI is applied to current civil construction practices, it becomes a tool that can significantly reduce the time required for certain tasks.”
– Brandon Papas, SITECH Western Canada Solutions Ltd.
The labour market for Saskatchewan’s heavy construction industry remains tight. With a limited season, the industry is working to allocate time and resources to ensure it has an adequate, ready and available workforce. AI can assist contractors, engineers and owners by optimizing schedules, balancing crews and equipment and identifying efficiency opportunities – often reducing the need for additional administrative or technical resources.
Machines
The introduction of AI in heavy construction equipment can involve highly controlled autonomous applications for low-risk, repetitive tasks, as well as semi-autonomous systems where the operator remains in control, but is supported by intelligent guidance to improve consistency and efficiency in a project. Machine learning and predictive analytics are common applications in machine control technology and are only improving as the technology progresses.
For equipment telematics, “AI has the ability to recognize patterns and make predictions,” said Papas. “AI can estimate the likelihood that a component may fail by analyzing operating data and identifying deviations from normal performance patterns. This is a practical application of machine learning, in which historical and real-time data are used to detect abnormal patterns. When data deviates from the normal pattern, it will be flagged to indicate that the machine being used could be failing or have an issue that needs to be addressed.”
This application, known as predictive analytics, allows contractors to schedule maintenance proactively, reduce unplanned downtime and prolong equipment lifespan.
Safety
Safety remains one of the most powerful applications of AI in heavy construction. One wrong move or shortcut can cause project delay, financial consequences and, unfortunately, at times, an injury or death in the workplace. AI brings needed safety to a project in various ways.
“AI provides continuous situational awareness, adding an additional layer of protection for both operators and ground crews. The leap with AI is that we go from safety to smart safety,” said Papas.
Smart cameras are increasingly used by the industry to monitor safety on worksites. Rear-facing cameras installed on machinery can identify and distinguish humans from non-human objects in real time. They also offer collision warnings and mitigation alerts, giving operators more time to react and correct course. Driver safety systems can monitor indicators such as eye movement, head position and blink rate to help assess whether an operator is alert or fatigued. Adding AI safety features to the workspace provides an extra layer of security for the contractor and those performing critical tasks.
Just the beginning
“AI in the heavy construction industry has proven to be invaluable. AI can turn large volumes of project data into actionable insights far more quickly than traditional methods. AI is constantly adapting, and its use will only grow, allowing for better outcomes for the industry as a whole,” said Papas.
The heavy construction industry is adapting and learning how to incorporate AI as a valuable tool for its projects. Whether it is automating aspects of construction, streamlining project management processes or elevating safety at the worksite, AI will continue to play a significant role in how Saskatchewan’s infrastructure is built.
Martin Charlton Communications is the largest public relations company in Saskatchewan and one of the largest in western Canada.